We've Moved!

Just a quick note to my subscribers to let you know that I've moved over to WordPress.  You can find me now at http://storiesfromthemomzone.wordpress.com.  I sure hope you'll join me over there.  I've changed the format slightly, but I think you'll still enjoy reading along.  I welcome you to my new home at WordPress and hope to hear from you very soon.

Here's the link to my first post on the new blog: http://storiesfromthemomzone.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/were-back/.

See you soon!

-- Sarah

The Times? I Think They Have Changed: Thoughts on MLK, Jr.

Believe me, things can still definitely improve.  But the times have changed.  Even just from when I was Sister and Dude's age.

The most obvious change is the fact that we have an African-American President.  Whether you agree with his politics or not, this was a needless barrier that has now been shattered.  They told us when we were kids that anyone could grow up to be the President, and now that's really true.  How long before we see a woman as President?  Is that even out of reach anymore?

I think most kids are growing up color blind these days.  A person's color is even used less frequently as a descriptor.  Case in point: Dude and I were in Subway recently.  There were two other guys in the restaurant as customers - one was white, one was black.  As we left the store, Dude told me that one of the guys was the father of a friend of his.  When I asked which one, he replied, "the one with the big muscles".  Color didn't matter to him.

This past week, both Sister and Dude have been telling me what they learned about Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy in school.  They've had lots of questions too.  But mostly, they can't understand why people were treated any differently because they had a different skin color.  I can't either, and it's hard to explain.

It All Started With a New Pair of Cowgirl Boots

Somehow, my baby girl has grown up.  Right before my eyes.  I don't know how, but I missed it.  And it all started with a new pair of red cowgirl boots.

We've been discussing for years now about how Sister would go stay at my cousin's ranch for a week in the Summers once she was old enough.  Now that she's eight, we decided this would be a good time to start.

The planning began in earnest about a month ago.  There were things we had to plan around like Vacation Bible School, nature camp, vacations, etc.  Once we decided on the first week of June for Sister's ranch trip, there was no stopping her excitement.  On the last day of school, her teacher told me that Sister had been talking about going to the ranch for weeks now.  Katie bar the door!

We knew this would be a really fun experience for her, but being the practical parents we are, we also knew that she would learn some valuable life lessons along the way.  We hoped that she would learn the feeling of a job well done at the end of the day, that there is value in work, and that life doesn't revolve around the Disney Channel or her Nintendo DS (which she did NOT bring with her).  I think all of the above is being accomplished.

I have to say, I was a little hurt that Sister didn't put up much of a fuss when Dude and I left her at the ranch on Sunday.  She hugged and kissed me goodbye, but seemed to be waiting for us to leave so the real fun could start.  My cousin has been keeping her pretty busy, so she hasn't really had time to miss us.  But something tells me that even if she were bored, we would not be top of mind.

We've called her every night so far, and the conversation has been pretty one-sided.  We can hardly get a word in edgewise because she has so much to tell us.  Baby goats are being born.  There are eggs to gather.  Chickens to feed.  Cows to count.  Oh, and the all important, ranch vehicles to drive.  Yes, she drove a giant tractor and a four-wheeler under the watchful eyes of the college kids who work at the ranch during the Summer.

But I've gotten ahead of myself.  During all the discussion and planning of this trip, we told Sister that she could have a pair of real cowgirl boots.  So the first stop on our way to the ranch was Harry's in San Saba.  Harry's is a legend in those parts, with the best selection of boots for miles.  Sister found a cool pair of Ariats with bomber leather around the foot and a cool brick red leather upper.  I can't remember ever seeing her so pleased.

I packed only two pairs of jeans for her because, well, this is Texas and it's pretty danged hot -- even in early June.  Plus, Sister had specifically told me she was going to wear shorts the entire time.  I convinced her to take the jeans for the days when they would be working so she could wear her new boots.  According to my cousin, they've had to to laundry twice in three days because Sister will not wear anything but jeans and her new boots.

So my independent, boot-wearing child has been out the door by 7am.  Opening gates.  Feeding animals.  Learning to cook.  And going to bed tired, but fulfilled.  We will be forever grateful for my cousin (who is also Sister and Dude's godmother) for taking on an eager, inquisitive, and creative child, and showing her the ropes.  This will be a week that Sister won't soon forget.  But get ready, Cousin - Dude will be old enough for a week of his own in two years!

Our Pizza-making Adventure

Today the kids and I had a ton of errands to run. We were out all afternoon, and didn't get home until 7pm. About two errands into our list, we decided we needed to stop for lunch. So as we usually do, we stopped at the Original Brooklyn Pie Co. in the La Frontera shopping center in Round Rock, TX.

They will make whole pizzas, but for us, there is only the pizza by the slice. They're delicious and HUGE! I'll eat one slice, and the kids usually split one. Yes. They're that big.

Somehow, without my noticing, something amazing happened. I overheard a bit of the conversation my kids were having with the owner, Rubio. He told them that if they ate all their pizza, he'd teach them how to make one! Now, most kids don't usually have a problem with eating pizza. But I promise you - you've never seen two kids eat pizza faster than Sister and Dude did this afternoon. They gobbled it up before I'd even eaten a few bites of mine!

They've watched Rubio make pizzas many times before. They always choose the best seats in the house - the table right next to the Plexiglas window where they can watch him toss up the pizza dough waaaay up into the air and then add all the yummy toppings.

Today Rubio outdid himself. He invited them both to come back behind the counter to learn how to make a pizza of their own. First, they had to wash their hands. Then, they had to flour the dough and the pizza board to prevent the dough from sticking.













The next step was to pound and flatten the dough into a small sized pizza.













Then comes the sauce. Sister got to help spread it around with a paint brush to make sure it covered all the dough.













And what's a pizza without cheese? Sister and Dude both get to try their hand at adding cheese and making sure it covered the entire surface.













After the pizza went into the oven, I snapped a photo of the pizza-making team. There's Dude, Sister, Mary, and Rubio. What a crew!













Ahh, the final product. Sister and Dude proudly display their creation. A delicious and made-by-my-kids cheese pizza!













I couldn't believe how incredibly sweet Rubio and Mary were to take time out of their busy day and teach my children how to make pizza. It just goes to show you that there really are some genuinely nice people out there. And you never know where you'll find them. Hmm, maybe you're one ...

Today started out being an ordinary day of running errands. It ended up being a day my kids will never forget.

If you're ever in Round Rock running errands and get a hankering for pizza, I'm sure Rubio and Mary would cook up a great pie for you. C'mon, you know you want one.

The Deepwood Santa - A Christmas Tradition

For the last several years, we've participated in our own family tradition. We have lots of traditions that are left over from either mine or my husband's childhood, or even borrowed from my sister's family. And they're all a cherished part of our family.

But this tradition is one of our very own. I hope it continues for many years to come.

You see, Santa has friends who live in Round Rock. He comes to visit for a few days before Christmas to rest up for his big day on Christmas Eve. And while he's here, he sets up shop on his friends' front yard. Brothers, sisters, Moms, Dads, grandparents, and friends are all welcome and encouraged to come visit Santa.

The part about Santa having friends in Round Rock is only partially true, but it's what we tell Sister and Dude. And for now, they still believe. Sister may not believe for much longer, though. She's in the 2nd grade, and the kids at school are already talking. I want her to hang on for a while.

The part about everyone being welcome to visit Santa is all true. Let me tell you about my Santa, and why I'm convinced he's the real deal.

There are these two people - an older couple - who are consumed with the Christmas Spirit. They live on Deepwood Drive in Round Rock. Every year in June or July, Santa - er, I mean the man - starts growing out a beautiful white/grey beard. He grows that thing for half the year.

A few weeks before Christmas, they decorate the front yard. I'm not talking about a few lights or an inflatable snowman here. No, these people go all out. Santa has built himself a life-size sleigh, complete with reindeer. The house and yard are covered with lights. There's even a separate area with a bench for taking additional pictures.

About the time the lights and decorations go up, a 2nd mail box goes up too. This mailbox is where folks can find copies of Santa's visiting hours. He usually prints them up on pretty Christmas paper.

For the two weeks prior to Christmas, Santa and Mrs. Claus are open for business. Mrs. Claus makes sure there is an orderly progression of children and imparts plenty of Christmas cheer. And Santa does what Santa does best. He causes spontaneous smiles on children's faces and sparkles to appear in their eyes. And he does this without asking for any payment or anything at all in return. I give him a big hug every year.

Family by family, groups both small and large await their turn to visit with the Big Guy. And family by family, he gives them their due. He visits with each child, asking if they've been good and what is on their Christmas lists. Then he reaches into his bag and pulls out a little trinket for each child. This year Sister got a golden bead necklace, and a little green bag with a Christmas pencil in it. Dude got a Spiderman coloring book and a small box of Crayons. Families can take as many pictures as they want. Moms and Dads usually get into the pictures too.

Santa does this each year. Each year charging nothing for his time or effort.

I've been calling him Santa, because to me and to us, he is. This man is kind, gentile, and full of love. He is the Christmas Spirit personified. I don't know their real names, and it doesn't matter one bit. They ARE Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

One year - a few years ago - he whispered something to me as I hugged him after our turn. I won't tell you what he said, because it was a message meant for me. But I will tell you this. Only Santa could've known.

Merry Christmas to All! And to All a Good Night.